How to Prevent a fall at Home
In people over the age of 80 years old, falls are the #1 cause of death!! Individuals over the age of 65 are the most susceptible. However, a fall can occur at ANY age!! Many falls that occur in the home could have been prevented if appropriate measures had been taken. Tim Burnell, PT and David Griffith PT are the only CERTIFIED BALANCE PHYSICAL THERAPISTS in Sarasota. Furthermore we do Insurance covered house calls covered by Medicare at 100%. The correct fall prevention program can save lives!!
Safeguarding your home
-Main entrance to the home and other doors to enter/exit the home: Install railings on both side of all steps. Install lighting and repair any broken steps, stairs, or walkways.
-Bedrooms and main living area: Move furniture as to not block pathways. Thick and plush carpet is always better than hardwood or tile in the event of an actual fall. Consider replacing furniture that have sharp edges. Eliminate glass tables and/or breakable items.
-Bathroom: Grab Bars in and around the area of the toilet and bathtub. Remember, the bathroom is the #1 room in the home for a fall to occur (kitchen is the #2 room)
-front and back yard: keep the pathways and walkways clear of weeds, debris and clutter.
-Cords: Cords can create a fall in the home. Move cords away from high traffic areas. Make sure they are close to the walls and secure them if necessary. Wrap and bind any excess length.
-Colors: colors can be used to differentiate between various levels, rooms and fixtures. Steps can be highlighted with brighter colors. Try to use a color on the walls to offset the shades of fixtures.
-Flooring: Bathroom and kitchen flooring should be addressed immediately to prevent falls. Use non-slip rugs to counteract a smooth floor, or use aftermarket adhesive or double stick tape. The bathroom and the kitchen are high fall risk areas because water on the floor can create a hazard.
EXERCISES
The correct movements and exercises can aid in fall prevention. Our Physical Therapy team at Back In Motion, Sarasota, has specialty training and Certification in Balance. It will show you hot to prevent a fall. We will develop a custom fall prevention program that addresses each individuals needs. Each persons balance system is comprised of: 1) visual input 2) vestibular input and 3) proprioceptive input. We will assess these 3 systems and improve each of them to maximize our clients balance and safety.
Weight
Losing weight can contribute to improved wellness, mobility and balance control. Check out Ideal Diet Sarasota for ways to lose weight in a safe and controlled manner. As we grow older we tend to become more set in our ways . Physical changes and even the thought of exercise can be overwhelming. Adding in factors such as fear, embarrassment and helplessness does not help the situation. Once we have one loss of balance episode or fall, we usually have the fear of falling again.
Back In Motion are the leading experts in Certified Balance Physical Therapy. They can help you resume a more confident lifestyle. We will explain the importance of fall prevention with a genuine concern and a gentle tone. As well as will listen to the feedback of the client and their family for optimal results. This is the BEST way to get a positive response and implement a fall prevention program.
Insurance
You don’t have to fall or wait for a fall to happen in order to use us for consultation. Most Insurance company’s would rather reimburse for a round of balance therapy, instead of paying $50,000 for a total joint replacement and hospitalization. Our balance and fall prevention program is covered by Medicare and most other insurance companies, even VA and military insurances.
Call now and book an appointment with our Certified Balance Physical Therapist (941)-925-2700.
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